James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

Those waiting include elderly inner city dwellers, non-nationals and well-dressed, middle class young men in their 20s and 30s, who are the new poor of Ireland. In my constituency of Longford-Westmeath, the midlands Simon Community has experienced a 25% increase in referrals for settlement services from local authorities and community leaders. Yesterday, the Minister provided no information in respect of how the Government will save the proposed €20 million from the reduction in rent supplement, leaving people stressed and fearful.

Concerted efforts should be made to get people back to work. The community employment scheme must be reinstated urgently to give people a realistic chance to return to employment. Youth is no safeguard against poverty. Our young people entered into their studies full of hope, but now leave the system with the prospect of no job and a mere €100 to live on. It is beyond a farce.

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